Goals

Ulsan

Time

Sydney FC

M.Diskerud

59'

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Sydney FC will be hoping to not only win, but have other Asian Champions League results go their way when they head to South Korea for a tough clash with Ulsan Hyundai on Matchday 5. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8pm (AEDT).

With three draws from their four matches to date, Sydney are still in with a shot at qualifying for the Round of 16, but will need everything to go their way.

This match falls at a tricky part of the season for the Sky Blues though with the A-League finals in full swing, so it’s unclear which players will run out for the do or die encounter in the Champions League.

However, after almost getting the better of Ulsan in their opening Champions League clash, only to be held to a nil-all draw despite dominating the most of the 90 minutes, they will take some confidence into this match.

It’s been a case of close, but no chocolates right throughout the tournament for Sydney, but with Shanghai and Kawasaki sitting just two and one points ahead of them respectively, Sydney could leapfrog into second place with a win this evening if they were to draw.

To do that though, they will have to press with their defence, not make errors, and play an up-tempo, fast style of soccer against a side who are likely to play from the back and try to punish Sydney on the counter attack whenever they get the chance.

Ulsan’s captain Lee Keun-ho will look to lead their charge from the front, while dangerous Brazilian import Júnior Negrão could suit up for the home side. Otherwise, it’s down to American midfielder Mix Diskerud to try and control the game, and stop Adam Le Fondre and co building on their dangerous combinations at the front.

Ulsan come into the game at the top of their group, and a win tonight would wrap up their qualification in the Round of 16, so it’s a key game. A loss, on the other hand, leaves them with the wolves snapping at their heels, with the potential of a loss in the final matchday stopping them from qualifying altogether.

A point also could be enough for Ulsan, so expect them to try and secure that first and foremost.

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Prediction
Sydney have simply had a lot of problems breaking deadlocks or holding onto leads throughout this campaign. With Ulsan likely to play from the back and also be happy to settle for a point, don’t expect much difference to the last time these sides met.

Sydney 1 – Ulsan 1.

Be sure to join us here on The Roar for live coverage of this Asian Champions League clash from 8pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.